Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], November 13 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Deepak Prakash on Wednesday cast his vote at Kuldeep High School for the Jharkhand Assembly elections.
Prakash launched a scathing attack against the current ruling JMM in Jharkhand and questioned on why JMM felt uneasy when BJP made attempts to remove Bangladeshi infiltrators from the state.
Speaking to ANI, Prakash said, "Why does JMM feels uneasy when BJP tried to remove the Bangladeshi infiltrators from the state.? It is because they support them and want to use them for their benefit. The Bangladeshi infiltrators have ruined the state. They conspire to weaken India. Jharkhand has to be developed, corruption free, the youth needs to be given jobs and women should be protected from atrocities. This is the resolution of the coming double engine government," Prakash said.
The BJP-led NDA is aiming to unseat the JMM-led coalition.
Key candidates in the first phase of Jharkhand's assembly elections include former Chief Minister Champai Soren (BJP) in Seraikela, and Ajoy Kumar (Congress) in Jamshedpur East, where he is facing Purnima Das Sahu, daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister Raghubar Das.
In Jaganathpur, BJP's Geeta Koda, wife of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, is contesting against Congress leader Sona Ram Sinku. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has nominated sitting Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji from Ranchi.
Counting of votes is scheduled for November 23
Meanwhile, during the first ongoing polling phase taking place in the state right now, the police has been using drones for surveillance in Ranchi to provide comprehensive security.
SP City Raj Kumar Mehta said, "The message to the people of Ranchi is to exercise their franchise. We want people to vote peacefully for bright future of their children. Drones are being used for security purposes. Senior citizens should be allowed to vote first."
A voter turnout of 13.04 per cent was recorded till 9 am in the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly Elections, as per the Election Commission of India.
Voting for the first phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections began on Wednesday morning, with voting taking place in 43 out of the state's 81 seats.